Cancer Survivor Organizes Walk, Raises Research Money

– Allison Goldsberry

After heading all the way down to the Cape last year and braving 60 mile-per-hour wind and pouring rain to take part in a cancer research walk, pancreatic cancer survivor Kathy Granara-Skerry decided to organize a walk closer to home.

On Saturday, September 29 more than 200 people will take part in a walk to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.  Granara-Skerry said she expects even more people to sign up over the next few days and to simply show up Saturday morning.

So far the walk has raised more than $19,000 for pancreatic cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital, where Granara-Skerry received treatment.  The money raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar by another pancreatic cancer survivor who is pledging up to $1 million.

Granara-Skerry said pancreatic cancer is a particularly deadly cancer of which little is known about and where surgery is only an option for 15% of patients.  She said research funding is essential so doctors can find out more about the disease and how to prevent it.

“The research, it just isn’t there and that’s what’s needed because the early intervention is so critical,” said Granara-Skerry.

Registration is 9AM Saturday and the 5K walk begins at 10AM from Playstead Park.  Interested donors can call Granara-Skerry at 339-221-1608, email granara-skerrywalk@comcast.net , or show up for registration with a $25 donation.